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Sennheiser HD800: Spray Painted Plastic and the New Acid-Washed Jeans. - Page 9

post #121 of 896
1/12/09 at 5:56am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wodgy View Post

Yes, Sennheiser could have used some kind of paper/wood fiber/resin composite, but plastic is a close alternative and more durable, plus they were working to a particular (well-chosen in my view) price point.
Just to reiterate, the much revered AKG K1000 was sold for over $1200 retail, and that was many years ago.

The HD800's being released at $1400 retail price at launch is perfectly reasonable given inflation, and comparable features and material use.

-Ed
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones
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post #122 of 896
1/12/09 at 6:10am
Oh, and here's where metal loses out with the HD800. The Stainless steel screen that protects the drivers from the outside gets dented pretty easily. or someone was really careless at CES. The pair they had there has noticeable little ding/dent in them. Had they used some kind of polymer based screen, they wouldn't dent so easily, although they'd have to be thicker, and would block more airflow.

The little dent didn't affect the sound quality as far as I could tell. But I will certainly be very careful in handling the HD800's. The HD650's were tank like in their durability in comparison. Not all that comfortable for me, but they certainly could take a beating. Not that I beat poor headphones, mind you. I've seen some take some punishment before in careless meet handling.

-Ed
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post #123 of 896
1/12/09 at 6:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by JadeEast View Post

Quote:
Originally Posted by Edwood View Post
slowclap
No...seriously...I would have adopted by now had they had the Hostess Snowball look. For real.

Silver < Pink Fur!

Edwood for President 2010!
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post #124 of 896
1/12/09 at 6:20am
GOLD PLATED PLASTIC LIKE A CADI -LAK
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post #125 of 896
1/12/09 at 6:21am
Sadly, this hobby will always be bottlenecked by components further upstream. I wonder if studios every give consideration to the mics or soundboards that they use. Not to mention, records that were recorded will always have technology belonging to their times. It feels funny talking about the ultimate headphone when there are so many links to the chain.
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post #126 of 896
1/12/09 at 7:13am
Well, I've been holding off saying this, but should anyone pay list price... for anything? Yike, I guess I'm just poor and frugal in the midst of a near-depression. Of course, at one time, there was this once coveted car called the Miata, so if if gets you revved... go for it!
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post #127 of 896
1/12/09 at 7:20am
Quote:
Originally Posted by chadbang View Post
Well, I've been holding off saying this, but should anyone pay list price... for anything? Yike, I guess I'm just poor and frugal in the midst of a near-depression. Of course, at one time, there was this once coveted car called the Miata, so if if gets you revved... go for it!
LOL, many people here pay OVER list price. Well, what was once list price for a discontinued product.

Oh, and I drive a 17 year old POS car so I can afford my headphone hobby.

-Ed
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post #128 of 896
1/12/09 at 7:23am
Oh, and about the plastic used in the HD800. It's basically fiberglass composite, or polyamid/glass filled nylon to be more precise. It's tough as nails, and very stiff. If you've ever tried to cut or sand down the stuff, it's really difficult.

More info on the plastic called "Leona" that the HD800 is listed as using:
Leona 90G60 (Dry) - Asahi Kasei - Polyamide 66 (Glass Fiber Reinforcement, 60%) Plastic

So we're not talking cheap and weak polystyrene here.

-Ed
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post #129 of 896
1/12/09 at 11:41am
I'll take carbon fiber over metal any day of the week, which is a fabric molded together with plastic resin. Anything that reduces weight and adds strength is A-OK with me.
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post #130 of 896
1/12/09 at 12:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Pink57 View Post
The build quality vs a HD650 is lacking, these things look like something Sony would put out on their low end line.
Well, here is an opinion of someone who actually saw them. Someone above said to me that at this point if I don't like plastic, I don't have to buy them. This was not the point of my opening post or any other post of mine. If these headphones really do stand up to the hype and indeed are R10 killers, then I do want them. My only point is that I wish Sennheiser used better quality materials to make them. That's all. It is amazing to me how many defend the use of cheap molded plastic rather than desiring Sennheiser to use materials befitting a $1400 headphone.

One material I am interested in is, "thermoplastic vulcanizate". It is that rubberized plastic that feels really nice in the hands and is used in a lot of products. I was thinking about what an interesting finish it would be on the HD800.
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post #131 of 896
1/12/09 at 12:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Pink57 View Post

The build quality vs a HD650 is lacking, these things look like something Sony would put out on their low end line.

pink
Trying to kid us? Put your money where your mouth is and tell us where the build quality is lacking.
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post #132 of 896
1/12/09 at 12:41pm
OK, so HD800s use plastic.

So, what's the point of buying the 'good' looking headphones then?

Headphones are for listening, not showing their awesomeness.

If Some people whine about build quality, then what are about Grados then? (To be honest, I had SR-225s, and I thought they were 10 bucks phones)

I really do not mind what kind of materials they use. If they sound as good as 1000~1400 bucks (2000 bucks for EU guys), then they are worth for their price.
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post #133 of 896
1/12/09 at 1:11pm
okay...to save davidhunternyc from even more hostility let's clarify what he's trying to say...i think what he's trying to get across is that while he does hate the plastic and wishes for another material, why of all finishes available did sennheiser have to go with the tacky silver finish?
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post #134 of 896
1/12/09 at 2:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by powertoold View Post
Apparently, I have too much time on my hands:
http://www.xpute.com/hd800/hd800_colors.jpg
I much prefer the stock silver color.
But I respect those who choose the opposite...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr Pink57 View Post
Sennheiser HD800 Brochure

Here is the brochure I got from CES at Senns booth about the cans. I scanned the whole thing in for anyone who is interested.
Thanks a lot!
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post #135 of 896
1/12/09 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by kukrisna View Post
okay...to save davidhunternyc from even more hostility let's clarify what he's trying to say...i think what he's trying to get across is that while he does hate the plastic and wishes for another material, why of all finishes available did sennheiser have to go with the tacky silver finish?
Yes, that is correct. You should try public relations. Thanks. : )
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Gear mentioned in this thread:

Sennheiser HD 800 Headphones
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Head-Fi.org › Forums › Equipment Forums › Headphones (full-size) › Sennheiser HD800: Spray Painted Plastic and the New Acid-Washed Jeans.